Adedokun Waliyu 
Nigeria’s Flamingoes face Germany for the FIFA U17 Woemn’s World Cup consolation bronze today at the D.Y. Patil Stadium.
This fixture will be a repeat of the opening Group B match in this tournament when Germany came from behind to hand Nigeria a 2-1 defeat.
The Flamingos, however, grew from strength to strength after that opening-day loss, beating New Zealand and Chile to reach a fourth quarterfinal appearance in seven World Cup showings.
The coach Bankole Olowookere-tutored girls then stunned favourites the United States to reach the semifinals for the first time in history.
But Colombia halted the Nigerian girls’ dreamy run on penalties to dash their hopes of lifting the prestigious trophy.
Germany also had their title hopes crushed in the semifinals by defending champions Spain. After scoring 13 goals in four matches, the Germans failed to find their finishing touch in their 1-0 loss to the Spaniards.
The first-ever match between the Nigerians and the Germans at this level was the exciting Group B clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on October 11.
The Flamingos drew first blood through a fierce Miracle Usani free kick in the 30th minute.
But Svea Stoldt dragged Germany back on levelled terms shortly after the halftime break before Mara Alber earned the victory for the reigning European champions with a well-taken strike.
